- Domestic workers new skills category
Caricom leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to free movement across the region as set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas amid the growing controversy over individual immigration policies, and have also firmly accepted that migrants who fall outside the declared categories are entitled to humane treatment.
The migration debate emerged a critical issue for the regional heads during the 30th Regular Meeting of the community which wrapped up here late last night,
but the discussions ended with a string of reaffirmations to the regional integration process.
But perhaps more crucial than others was the decision reached at the meeting in Georgetown to include a new category of skilled workers for recognition in moving freely under the treaty – household domestics.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Chairman of Caricom, announced at a late night press briefing yesterday that as of January 1, 2010 household domestics who have obtained the appropriate qualifications will be allowed to move freely across the Caribbean region.
However, he also announced that Antigua and Barbuda and Belize are not required to sign onto the expansion to include household domestics until a socio-economic impact study of the migrant situation is conducted in both countries.
“…we have noted that concerns of Antigua and Barbuda and Belize with respect to the implementation of their obligations related to the expansion of eligible categories of persons free movement under the free movement of skills regime and the grant of contingent rights without the conduct of a socio-economic impact assessment in those member states,” Jagdeo stated.
But on this particular issue, he noted that they have agreed that the Caricom Secretariat will expedite the study. He said too that the leaders have granted Antigua and Barbuda a five-year derogation on the free movement on the new category of household domestics, “in order for it to make the necessary adjustments to its infrastructure and other imperatives to facilitate the fulfilment of its treaty obligation with respect to the free movement of skills.”
According to the Guyanese President, the conference recalled that Antigua has always implemented a very liberal immigration policy which extended beyond the agreed categories and that it recognized the efforts of the country to streamline its current migration policies.
Specifically, he told reporters that the leaders have recognized that free movement is an essential element of the Common Market and Single Economy (CSME), but given the current economic crisis “its full implementation at this point in time will be challenging for some member states.”
He said that they have also noted that migration is a human right though circumscribed by domestic law, and also recognized that in keeping with the spirit of the treaty and the requisites of international law all migrants are accorded humane treatment.
Jagdeo said that the conference also re-affirmed that all eligible categories of skilled community nationals must be granted a definite entry of six months if they present their skilled certificate at a point of entry and that they have the right to work immediately. During that period the receiving country has the right to verify the qualification of the skilled nationals, he added, but pointed out that once completed an indefinite stay shall be granted.
The leaders also noted that persons who are moving to exercise the right of establishment, the provision of services and the movement of skills have the right to move with their spouse and immediate dependent family members.
He added that the schedule of free movement of persons would be reviewed at the CSME Convocation to be convened later this year with a view to advising on the timetable for full free movement.
On the issue of contingent rights, the President explained that these are rights which are granted to a Caricom national and his/her spouse and immediate dependent family members if the principal beneficiary has exercised the right of establishment, provision of services and movement of capital or free movement of skills.
He said that the leaders have agreed that the spouse of the principal beneficiary who qualifies for such rights also has a right to work without the need to obtain a work permit.
Further, he disclosed that the conference concluded that persons qualifying for contingent rights have the right to primary education and emergency health care, which are key elements to be included in a protocol on contingent rights. However, he pointed out that temporary service providers will only be entitled to emergency health care.
The President noted also that the leaders recalled the decision made in 2007 to Antigua and Barbuda an exemption on the free movement of non-graduate teachers and nurses. He added that countries must put in place the necessary arrangements to issue the certificate of recognition Caricom skilled qualifications to Caricom nationals who are eligible.
“Countries must put in place the necessary arrangements to issue the certificate of registration as the Caricom service provider to service providers who are moving on a temporary basis [inter-island traders]”, Jagdeo added.
Prior to the press conference and much earlier in the day Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves told reporters that the re-affirmations by the community have in essence recognized that certain minimum standards must be adhered to.
Saying that there was no need for him to go into any gruesome details as to what would fall short of those minimum standards, Gonsalves declared that in every single Caribbean country, some more than others, migrants are taken up and treated in a manner which is not humane.
“I will not expect somebody in St Vincent, an immigration official, to go and knock on somebody’s door at 3 am in respect of an immigration offence and tell them that they have to buy a ticket to get out of the country or they would be deported… if my immigration so acts they would be acting contrary to the spirit of the treaty and specifically Article 45, and also international obligations,” Gonsalves said while stressing that he was speaking hypothetically.
He emphasized that “everybody has agreed on” a regional position on the issue. Therefore, he noted that any immigration official who acts in such a manner is acting unlawfully and contrary to the public policy of each government in Caricom.
The Prime Minister said further that it is now up to the region to work out the
necessary protocol which would adhere to the standards [agreed on] given that they have acknowledged that the spirit of the treaty also addresses certain minimum standards of treatment as encoded in international law and best practices.
Encouraging and refreshing! Recognising domestic workers in the skills category is a great step forward for the integration movement. I am hoping that Countries such as Barbados live up to this commitment.
Great that’s all Bim needs… more unskilled workers.
I hope Guyana accepts an equal amount of domestic workers to its shores as well.
This treaty is still lacking and discriminatory, why is it only skilled workers can travel, what about the unskilled person, aren’t they free to travel too, what if someone just wants to travel would they be denied because they are not so-called skilled, what a sham.
Come on, please re-read the article. All Skilled workers are allowed free movement and on arrival in any Caribbean country, once they present their CSME Certificate, they will be allow a 6 months stay. This is until the CMSE certificate is verified by the appropiate athorities. Once verified the individual is allowed an indefinite stay. On the other hand unskilled worked and others who wish to travel – vacation purpose, can still enter any caricom state but will be subject to the local immigration laws – length of stay, can not work etc. I like the policy, it is gear to attract individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the development of a member states.
Amen-ra ,
Whats your problem? Every body can be a domestic.
Pepie i already say what i have to say, skilled or unskilled people should be able to travel not that nonsense of a certificate.
Amen-ra,
This recommit has nothing to do with someone going on a two week vacation whether that person is skilled or unskilled to any country in Caricom.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the impression that the only people allowed free movement around Caricom are University Graduates,Artiste, Musicians,Nurses,and now Domestics. As far as I know it does not cater for the Technicans and Artisans unless there are holders of specified qualifications.
Alot of talk and signing of agreements as usual – BUT i guess it will be back to usual politics when thes Heads return home.Lets wait, watch and see
A lot of these leaders talk a lot of crap, None of them know anything about real business. They follow the norms, dressed in their shoddy suits and go gallivanting to plead for mercy from those who have. What a waste of money to go through the motions of getting nothing done.
Jagdeo still has a responsibility to the Guyanese people and so this should not be a cop out of straightening situations in the country.
its called CARIGONE……GUYANA>>>>> GET OUT AND LEFF DEM HAPPY PEOPLE ALONE NUH….
CARICOM would be better off without Guyana. Do you recall that the CARICOM Multi-Lateral Clearing Facility crashed because Guyana refused to pay what it owed for imports from CARICOM countries? Barbados alone had to write off $110 million dollars that Guyana refused to pay. The Barbadian taxpayers paid that price. Are we to continue paying for the economic mis-management of Guyana?
PROUD BAJAN
Slug,
You may be right in your cockeyed assessment. As the current economic crisis deepens, the tourists are spending less and traveling less. To make matter worse, Raul Castro is cozying up to Obama and American tourists are rearing to go to Cuba. Barbados days in the sun may due for some clouds in the year ahead. Guyana can feed itself and has an abundance of natural resources to support its population whenever Guyanese are ready to build their country. Sand doesn’t taste too good and is bad for the digestive system. Every dog has its day. Today is Barbados’ day. Enjoy it. It will not last forever. There will always be Guyana (BG) plantain, lots of it.
Bajans,
all I am going to say today for you tomorrow for me.
Remeber that Guyana has always been an integral part of caricom along with T&T, Jamaica & Barbados. Remember the days of Forbes Burnham, Eric Williams, Errol Barrow and Norman Manley.
SLUG:::
Glad to hear from you and thanks for your response…
One thing you forget to mention in your response…..
Under which regime did it failed to pay what it owed Barbados?
Name that regime please…And name it’s leader….
If not put a lid on it….
sn…what happened to my response to slug???
what was so wrong that was said?
all i asked is for slug to name which of the government that owed barbadoes….
is it the pee pee pee or was it the pnc????
i asked slug to tell us so the bloggers could know which of the government in guyana owed dem bajans….or you dont want readers to know this therefore implying that its the pee pee pee took bajan money and never paid it back….yuh so biased and barefaced with comments here…
we know you want people to think that slug is telling guyanese that pee pee pee took money and goods from dem bajans and never paid for it???????
Obviously ,Henry Paul ,you have not seen the position of Barbados in the 2009 listing as a preferred destination.
Of course when Cuba opens up, there will be a rush there. MacDonalds opened a branch here some years ago,it knocked KFC and Chefette for six.The roads leading to McDonald were grid locked for a couple of weeks.The novelty wore off and it was quickly closed down. Get the picture?
Instead of wishing bad for Barbados and criticising its every move, why not look for ways that your country can reap some benefits from tourism.
free movement of people = free movement of Guyanese. look how Guyana has become the ‘knock-about’ of Caricom. Every immigration policy is made with us in mind.
A country that cannot provide for its own has become a pariah and its people the same. So sad that a big country with god given riches cannot use initiatives to do better
WELL SAID-WE R THE REASONS FOR ALL THE FAILED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENTS WHERE MOVEMENTS OF MEMBERS AND GOODS AND SERVICES ARE CONCERNED.WAKE UP MR.PRESIDENT THEY DO NOT WANT US
As a Vincy it is my fervent wish people of St. Vincent rise up and rid themselves of Ralph Gonzalves. He embarasses our country daily. From in bed with Iran & Libya to interference in affairs of Caribbean neighbours, St. Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica eg’s.
He was accused of rape more than once. He accused of dragging his feet on rooting out marijuana growth & exportation in svg. He call ganga growers” noble farmers”. His latest meddling is to push his uninvited nose into Barbados domestic immigration policy. Gonzalves was asked to leave Barbados by Tom adams. Spite is a bi**h. Day runs until night catches it Gonzalves. Mark my words.
Ralph Gonsalves should be ashamed to criticise Barbados because only a few years ago , The government of Barbados loaned him money to pay the civil servants of St.Vincent & the Grenadines . The Coast Guard and the Marine Police of Barbados are constantly intercepting boats with marijuana from St.Vincent destined for Barbados . We have Vincy criminals in our prison and I wish that Gonsalves will pay for they upkeep which is $3,500.00 (barbados) monthly .
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Vincentians came here to work in the sugar cane industry, legally ; but after the crop they remain and many of them worked in the construction industry , illegally . Whenever the immigration officers arrive at the construction sites , you saw them scattering in different directions to avoid being caught and sent back to St.Vincent . I would like to remind Gonsalves when he was in opposition and “Son” Mitchell was the Prime Minister of SVG , an american citizen was charged for murder and the CNN reporters took Mitchell to Task , why didn’t he Gonsalves defended his PM and his country at that time ?? At that time Mr.Ralph Gonsalves was 1 of the lawyers for the american woman and the murdered man was a working class Vincentian citizen . I omit the race of the rich american , she and her husband were very close friends of the then President Clinton , and that of the working class vincentian because people are quick to say I am playing the race card . Needless to say, she was found not guilty because Mr.Gonsalves was able to acquire the services of the most successful bajan lawyer when it comes to defending persons charged for murder – money was not problem for the defendant . The CNN reporters even referred to St.Vincent as a “Banana Republic” but R.Gonsalves never defended his country from the slings and arrows of blatant american arrogance . Gonsalves did not defended his PM at that time , so I don’t expect him to defend Mr. Thompson , the Prime Minister of Barbados .
Braffit , I remembered when Tom Adams (former PM of Barbados) asked Gonsalves to leave Barbados and people like me criticised Adams at the time . I would like to opine that Gonsalves enjoyed a very good political relationship with Owen Arthur and he was sorry to see him go – but we the people of Barbados made the decision and our choice is David Thompson .
Barbados have helped all of its neighbours at various times , many of whom , were experiencing socio-economic problems and especially with natural disasters .
Barbados is 1 of the most cosmopolitan countries in the Caribbean – we welcome people to reside with us from all over the world . Let it also be known that we abhor criminal activities ,therefore , Barbados is NOT a haven for criminals . If we allow criminals to do as they please our economy will join that of Guyana – a country which is liken to a comfort zone for criminals .
Artisans and Technicans who in may cases have spent a long apprenticeship and many hours of studies should be raising their eyebrows relating to the movement of skill people within Caricom.
One the one hand we have university graduates,some of whom ,have no practical experience, free to come and go. On the other hand, to add insult to injury,Household Maids are now being added to the list of privilege ones.Which group is next,Garden Boys or Dog Minders? No question here which section of the society is being catered for.
Household domestics now part of Free Movement of Skills. What qualifications domestic worker need.
Jagdeo needs to create jobs for his people and stop fighting up about other countries allowing them to stay there illegally.What a waste of time.
Do I see the President seeking a cop out? Yes! This is the time when he should be utilizing his government’s intellect and “CRYSTAL CLEAR” vision to pull Guyana out of the doldrums instead of trying to provide citizens with the right of passage to flee their homeland, because of destitution.I would have preferred to see and hear that Mr Jagdeo has taken the mantle to show the rest of Caricom that Guyana can become the mighty nation within the sphere of Caricom that it is destined to be.